Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, the BfV (German: Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz), has officially classified the entire Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as a “confirmed right-wing extremist” group. Previously, only certain regional branches of the party were under this label. The BfV said this move was necessary because the AfD is attempting to “undermine the free, democratic order” of the country.
Pointing out the major societal problems in the form of immigration and criticizing the government for its policy failure does not come under “undermining the free, democratic order”, but putting surveillance on the second largest and also opposition party does come under the same.
This classification gives authorities broader powers to monitor the party, including intercepting phone calls, using undercover agents, and closely observing party meetings. Elected officials from the AfD could even lose their positions, and the party might be stripped of state funding. After failed attempts to ban the second popular party in Germany, Germany has used institutions to spy on every move of AfD.
Attempts to Undermine oppostion Voices
Earlier attempts to ban the AfD were made in January this year and in 2024, just before national elections. However, both efforts failed due to a lack of political consensus.
Now, with the new CDU/CSU-SPD coalition in power, the government appears to be using legal institutions to damage the AfD’s image and potentially set the stage for a ban. Critics argue that banning the country’s second-largest party, which holds 26% public support, would harm democratic values. After all, democracy depends on a strong opposition.
Trying to silence a party that has more voter support than one of the coalition partners (the SPD) risks undermining the people’s voice—and with it, the very spirit of democracy.
Crush the Opposition before Entering parliament
The timing of this decision is significant, as Germany is about to swear in a new government. Friedrich Merz, from the CDU/CSU, is set to become the new chancellor next week. His coalition includes the centre-left SPD. The SPD’s Lars Klingbeil, who will become vice-chancellor and finance minister, said the government would consider banning the AfD altogether.
“They want a different country. They want to destroy our democracy. And we must take that very seriously,” Klingbeil told Bild newspaper, though he stressed that no hasty decision would be made.
Incoming interior minister Alexander Dobrindt said that classifying the AfD as extremist means more surveillance of the party is inevitable. The intelligence agency stated that the AfD seeks to exclude certain groups—especially citizens with migrant backgrounds from Muslim-majority countries—from full participation in society. According to the agency, the AfD does not view them as “equal members of the German people.”
This new classification could open the door to banning the party entirely. Many lawmakers have said such a label was a key step before any legal ban could be considered. However, it’s important to note that being classified as a right-wing extremist does not automatically make a party unconstitutional under Germany’s Basic Law.
US slams the Move
The decision has sparked strong international reactions, especially from the United States. US Vice President JD Vance criticized Germany’s actions, saying it was like rebuilding the Berlin Wall, not by foreign powers but by Germany’s own political elite. Vance had previously met with the AfD leader in Munich and described the AfD as “the most popular party in Germany.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the move “tyranny in disguise” and urged Germany to reverse its decision. Elon Musk, a key advisor to President Donald Trump, has also defended the AfD in the past.
Germany’s foreign ministry responded directly to Rubio, saying, “This is democracy.” It explained that the decision was based on a thorough and independent investigation aimed at protecting the Constitution. It also noted that the AfD has the right to appeal the classification.
The AfD, which came second in the recent national election, called the move a “heavy blow” to democracy and said it would fight the classification in court. Party leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla claimed they are being targetedunfairly and accused the government of trying to “criminalize” them for political reasons.
